Detroit residents filled sidewalks on Livernois Avenue Saturday for the annual Light Up Livernois on the Avenue of Fashion, which this year brought together community, business and politics.
Simply Casual and Shoehouse Boulevard owner Rufus Bartell and multimedia artist Roscoe Davis are behind the massive effort to activate the area on the Fourth of July Weekend.
They say the idea came from wanting to create an economic impact in the historic business district.
“It’s a space to showcase our fashion roots, our musical heartbeat, and the entrepreneurs driving growth in one of Detroit’s most iconic neighborhoods,” Bartell told Michigan Chronicle.
Bartell’s brother, Algernon Bartell, owner of the Times Square Men’s Custom Clothing Store, opened the storefront in 2010. His family, which owns many businesses on the avenue, are behind an effort to bring more foot traffic to the area.
Armetris Hare told the Chronicle her business, Fast & Tasty’s, stayed busy selling seven up pound cake, banana pudding and gluten free cheesecake throughout the entire event. Hare turned those who were just passing by into customers by handing out free samples of her delicious banana pudding.
Lloyd Richardson, 64, who lives on San Juan Drive, said in an interview waiting for his order of fried fish beside the Bridge Moe’s food truck, that the event has energized the neighborhood each fourth of July weekend.
“It’s makes you feel good to see this many people walking up here and enjoying this neighborhood. It wasn’t always like that,” Richardson said. “That’s why it means so much to these folks because it’s important to take pride where you live.”
The event featured artists rapping and singing on stage, a fashion show for adults and one “Toy Story” theatrical fashion show for kids. The Jit Masters entertained crowds with dances and beginner jit tutorials for people wanting to speed up their footwork outside of Lily’s & Elise Tea & Coffee House.
With yard signs for mayoral candidate James Craig lining the outside of Mike’s Fresh Market, it was impossible for attendees to ignore the fact that the city is in the middle of a pivotal election year.
Craig wasn’t the only candidate to make a footprint at the event.
While small businesses set up grills and food trucks, candidates for mayor and city council brought tables and campaign literature. Campaign staffers for Triumph pastor Solomon Kinloch, attorney Todd Perkins and THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins passed out flyers as attendees passed by.
Perkins told Michigan Chronicle Saturday that the activation of the block is exactly what many mayoral candidates and candidates for city council say they want in more neighborhoods.
“This is what the goal is,” Perkins said. “This is no different than Grand River, this is no different than parts of Woodward, Gratiot, Kercheval, all of those streets. Even when you go far west, Fenkell, Puritan, there’s so much opportunity for investment. All you got to do is put a shovel in the ground, and we need to do it before somebody else comes in and does it. The people who are here and were here first should be able to enjoy it the most.
The problem we see with this area and many others that aren’t planned for a heavy pedestrian presence but have potential for them is parking is not conducive to business. If we were to plan for these corridors to take on this much activity, we would see angled parking like we do in Ferndale or Birmingham.”
Candidates for city council were also present, including state Rep. Helena Scott, who is running against incumbent councilwoman Angela Whitfield Calloway and former councilman Roy McCallister Jr., who also had a presence at the event. The Avenue of Fashion is located within District 2.
At-large candidate Detroit fire chief James Harris was also talking to voters on Livernois Saturday. He is challenging Mary Waters and Coleman Young II for one of two at-large seats.
Instead of choosing sides, businesses like Times Square Men’s Clothing, The Mad Hatter and Suits 4 Less are allowing all candidates to perch yard signs in their storefront windows.
